Lawn ornament having rotatable blades with solar-activated light-emitting devices

ABSTRACT

A decorative lawn ornament including a rotatable carrier having a plurality of blades. At least one light-emitting device is arranged on each of the plurality of blades to emit light from the blades. A solar panel is provided to receive and collect sunlight, and a photoswitch is automatically operable between an activated state during instances of insufficient sunlight to thereby activate the light-emitting device, and a deactivated state during instances of sunlight to thereby deactivate the light-emitting device. The decorative lawn ornament is operable such that when a flow of air strikes it, the blades rotate and a decorative member rotates to control an orientation of the blades and the light emitted by the light-emitting devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/231,473 (filed on Mar. 31, 2014), which itselfclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Chinese Utility Model PatentApplication No. 201320615335.5 (filed on Sep. 30, 2013), which are eachhereby incorporated by reference in there respective entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to a lawn and/or garden ornament having a decorativelawn ornament including a rotatable carrier having a plurality ofblades. At least one light-emitting device is arranged on each of theplurality of blades to emit light from the blades. A solar panel isprovided to receive and collect sunlight, and a photoswitch isautomatically operable between an activated state during instances ofinsufficient sunlight to thereby activate the light-emitting device, anda deactivated state during instances of sunlight to thereby deactivatethe light-emitting device. The decorative lawn ornament is operable suchthat when a flow of air strikes it, the blades rotate and a decorativemember rotates to control an orientation of the blades and the lightemitted by the light-emitting devices.

BACKGROUND

Lawn and/or garden ornaments are generally placed in an open lawn and/orgarden area of a property.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a decorative lawn ornament, inaccordance with embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the decorative lawn ornament, inaccordance with embodiments.

FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate front, side, rear and partial views of adecorative element, in accordance with embodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exploded view of a carrier and a partialview of a decorative element, in accordance with embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate top and bottom views of a solar panel mountedin a carrier of a decorative element, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of the solar panel of FIGS. 5A and 5B, withthe cover opened to expose the internal components, in accordance withembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a decorative lawn ornament without adirectional plate, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a decorative lawn ornament having apair of decorative member 2 connected to each other, in accordance withembodiments.

DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with embodiments is adecorative lawn ornament 10 for placement in an open area of a lawn,garden or the like. The lawn ornament 10 includes a support member thatincludes an upper support member 1, a primary or main lower supportmember 11, and a secondary lower support member 5. The lower supportmembers, namely the main lower support member 11 and the secondary lowersupport member 5 have distal ends that are insertable into the ground ofthe lawn, garden or the like, or a support surface placed on and/or overthe lawn, garden or the like. The main lower support member 11 isremoveably connected at an upper end thereof to the lower end of theupper support member 1. The secondary lower support member 5 has aninverted L cross-section that includes a horizontally-extending memberthat extends perpendicularly from the main lower support member 11, anda vertically-extending member that extends perpendicularly from thehorizontally-extending member (and parallel to the upper and lowersupport members 1, 5) and which includes the distal end that isinsertable into the ground of the lawn, garden or the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a decorative member 2 may be rotatablysupported on a vertically-extending support sleeve 12. The supportsleeve 12 is rotatably connected to the upper support member 1 forrotational movement about the vertical axis defined by the upper andlower support members 1, 11. Extending perpendicularly from the supportsleeve 12 is a connecting rod 32 having a directional plate 3 with acrescent-type or hemispherical cross-section extending therefrom. Theconnecting rod 32 is received by and connected to the carrier tray 3 viaa connecting rod 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIG. 4, the decorative member 2includes a generally circular carrier tray 3 with a plurality of blades21 connected thereto, the blades 21 projecting outwardly from the outercircumferential surface of the carrier tray 3. The carrier tray 3includes a through hole that receives the connecting rod 32 which may beremoveably connected to the carrier tray 3. The carrier tray 3 alsoincludes an annular concave cavity 31 sized to removably receive andhold the internal electrical components (i.e., one or more solar panels6, battery 13 and wiring 23) of the decorative lawn ornament 10. Via aninternal bearing 4 in the carrier tray 3, the decorative member 2rotates about the connecting rod 32 when a flow of wind strikes thesurface of the blades 21.

The decorative member 2 further includes light-emitting devices (LEDs) 7arranged on one or more of the plurality of blades 21 to emit light fromthe blades 21. The LEDs 7 may comprises light-emitting diodes. Therechargeable battery 13 may be connected to the solarcharging/discharging circuit board 8 and the photoswitch 61, with thesolar panel(s) 6 being connected to LED(s) 7 and the solarcharging/discharging circuit board 8. Alternatively, the rechargeablebattery 13 may be electrically connected to at least one solar panel 6,and a solar charging/discharging circuit board 8 is electricallyconnected to the rechargeable battery 13 and the LEDs 7. Embodiments,however, are not limited to such a configuration and may encompass otherconfigurations that will fall within the spirit and scope of theprinciples of this disclosure. One or more solar panels 2 may bearranged on the carrier 3 and configured to receive and collectsunlight.

The directional plate 9 has a surface which receives a flow of air whichcauses the decorative member 2 via the support sleeve 12 to rotate aboutthe vertical axis defined by the upper and lower support members 1, 11.Such a flow of air on the directional plate 3 thereby permits control ofthe orientation of the blades 21 and the light emitted by the LEDs 7 viarotation of the support sleeve 12, and thus, the decorative member 2,about the upper support member 1. One or more holes 22 extend through asurface of at least one of the blades 21 to receive a corresponding LED7.

A front surface of each blade 21 may also include a protrusion 24 wherea corresponding of the one or more holes 22 and LEDs 7 is arranged.Wiring 23 is provided at a rear surface of a blade 21 having LEDs 7 inorder to establish an electrical circuit between the circuit board 8,the rechargeable battery 13, the LEDs 7, the photoswitch 61 and thesolar panel(s) 6. Wiring covers 62 also extend along the rear surface ofthe blades 21 and which receive corresponding wiring 23. The wiringcovers 62 may be embedded in the rear surface of the blades 21. Thewiring covers may be composed of steel, and shaped in the form of atube.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A 5B and 6, the internal electrical componentsof the lawn ornament 10 include one or more solar panels 6 to receiveand collect sunlight. The rechargeable battery 13 may be electricallyconnected to the photoswitch and also the solar charging/dischargingcircuit board 8. The solar charging/discharging circuit board 8 may alsobe electrically connected to the solar panel(s) 6. The solar panel(s) 6may be electrically connected to the light-emitting devices 7. Thephotoswitch 61 may be automatically operable between an activated stateduring instances of insufficient sunlight to thereby activate thelight-emitting devices 7, and a deactivated state during instances ofsunlight to thereby deactivate the light-emitting devices 7.

Accordingly, in operation of the lawn ornament 10, the blades 21 extendfrom the carrier 3 to initiate rotation of the carrier about theconnecting member 32 when a flow of air strikes a surface of the blades21. Also, the directional plate 9 has a surface which receives a flow ofair to permit rotation of the decorative member 2 about the supportsleeve 12 to thereby control an orientation of the blades 21 and thelight emitted by the LEDs 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a decorative lawn ornament is provided havingmany of the components and functionality of the decorative lawn ornamentillustrated in FIGS. 1-6. In accordance with embodiments, however, theconnecting rod 32 lacks a directional plate 9. In this way, rotation ofthe decorative member 2 about the vertical axis defined by the upper andlower support members 1, 11 results from a flow of air directly strikingthe blades 21, thereby also causing the blades 21 to rotate.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a decorative lawn ornament is provided havingmany of the components and functionality of the decorative lawn ornamentillustrated in FIGS. 1-6. In accordance with embodiments, however, theconnecting rod 32 is connected to a pair of decorative members 2 via arespective carrier tray 3 of the decorative members 2. Each decorativemember 2 has a plurality of blades 21 connected to and projectingoutwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the carrier tray 3.Each carrier tray 3 includes a through hole that receives the connectingrod 32 which may be removeably connected to each carrier tray 3. Thecarrier tray 3 in each decorative member includes an annular concavecavity 31 sized to removeably receive and hold the internal electricalcomponents (i.e., one or more solar panels 6, battery 13 and wiring 23)of the decorative lawn ornament 10. Via an internal bearing 4 in thecarrier tray 3, each decorative member 2, rotates about the connectingrod 32 when a flow of wind strikes the surface of the blades 21. In thisway, joint rotation of the decorative members 2 about the vertical axisdefined by the upper and lower support members 1, 11 results from a flowof air directly striking the blades 21 of one or both of the decorativemembers 2, thereby also causing the blades 21 to rotate.

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND EXAMPLES

Example One may include a decorative lawn ornament comprising adecorative member supported by a support member, the decorative memberincluding a carrier having a plurality of blades extending therefrom, asupport sleeve connected to the support member for rotation about anaxis defined by the support member, and a connecting member extendingperpendicularly from the support sleeve and which has a first endthereof which supports the carrier for rotation about an axis defined bythe connecting member; a photoswitch; a rechargeable batteryelectrically connected to the photoswitch; a circuit board electricallyconnected to the rechargeable battery; a solar panel to receive andcollect sunlight and which is arranged on the carrier, the solar panelelectrically connected to the circuit board; a light-emitting devicearranged on at least one of the plurality of blades to emit light fromat least one of the blades, wherein the photoswitch is automaticallyoperable between an activated state during instances of insufficientsunlight to thereby activate the light-emitting device, and adeactivated state during instances of sunlight to thereby deactivate thelight-emitting device, wherein the plurality of blades extend from thecarrier so as to rotate the carrier about the connecting member when aflow of air strikes a surface of the blades, and also permit rotation ofthe decorative member about the support member to thereby control anorientation of the blades and the light emitted by the light-emittingdevice.

Example Two may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example One,wherein the support member comprises: an upper support member; a lowersupport member insertable into the lawn; and a secondary lower supportmember connected to the lower support member and which is insertable ininto the lawn.

Example Three may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example One,wherein the connecting member extends perpendicularly from the supportsleeve.

Example Four may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example Three,wherein the carrier and the connecting member are coaxially arrangedwith respect to each other.

Example Five may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example One,wherein the solar panel and the rechargeable battery are respectivelyreceived in an annular cavity defined by the carrier.

Example Six may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example One,further comprising a hole extending through a surface of at least one ofthe blades to receive a corresponding light-emitting device.

Example Seven may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example Six,further comprising a protrusion in the surface of the blades, wherein acorresponding hole is arranged at the protrusion.

Example Eight may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example One,further comprising wiring to establish an electrical circuit between thecircuit board, the rechargeable battery, the light-emitting device, thephotoswitch and the solar panel; and wiring covers extending along therear surface of the blades and which receive corresponding wiring.

Example Nine may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example Eight,wherein the wiring covers are embedded in the rear surface of theblades.

Example Ten may include the decorative lawn ornament of Example One,wherein the light-emitting devices comprises light-emitting diodes.

Example Eleven may include a decorative lawn ornament comprising asupport member including an upper support member, a lower support memberinsertable in into the lawn, and a secondary lower support memberconnected to the lower support member and which is insertable into thelawn; a decorative member including a carrier having a plurality ofblades extending therefrom, a support sleeve connected to the uppersupport member for rotation about an axis defined by the upper supportmember, and a connecting member extending perpendicularly from thesupport sleeve and which has a first end thereof which supports thecarrier for rotation about an axis defined by the connecting member atleast one light-emitting device arranged on at least one of theplurality of blades to emit light from the blades; a photoswitch; arechargeable battery electrically connected to the photoswitch; acircuit board electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; atleast one solar panel arranged on the carrier and electrically connectedto the circuit board, the at least one solar panel configured to receiveand collect sunlight; and at least one light-emitting device arranged onat least one of the plurality of blades to emit light from at least oneof the blades, wherein the photoswitch is automatically operable betweenan activated state during instances of insufficient sunlight to therebyactivate the at least one light-emitting device, and a deactivated stateduring instances of sunlight to thereby deactivate the at least onelight-emitting device, wherein the plurality of blades extend from thecarrier so as to rotate the carrier about the connecting member when aflow of air strikes a surface of the blades, and also permit rotation ofthe decorative member about the support member to thereby control anorientation of the blades and the light emitted by the light-emittingdevice.

Example Twelve may include the decorative lawn ornament of ExampleEleven, wherein the support member comprises an upper support member; alower support member insertable into the lawn; and a secondary lowersupport member connected to the lower support member and which isinsertable in into the lawn.

Example Thirteen may include the decorative lawn ornament of ExampleEleven, wherein the connecting member extends perpendicularly from thesupport sleeve.

Example Fourteen may include the decorative lawn ornament of ExampleEleven, further comprising at least one hole extending through a surfaceof at least one of the blades to receive a corresponding one of the atleast one light-emitting devices.

Example Fifteen may include the decorative lawn ornament of ExampleFourteen, further comprising at least one protrusion in the surface ofthe blades, wherein a corresponding at least one hole is arranged at theat least one protrusion.

Example Sixteen may include the decorative lawn ornament of ExampleEleven, further comprising wiring to establish an electrical circuitbetween the circuit board, the rechargeable battery, the light-emittingdevice, the photoswitch and the solar panel; and wiring covers extendingalong the rear surface of the blades and which receive correspondingwiring.

Example Seventeen may include the decorative lawn ornament of ExampleSixteen, wherein the wiring covers are embedded in the rear surface ofthe blades.

Example Eighteen may include the decorative lawn ornament of ExampleEleven, wherein the light-emitting devices comprise light-emittingdiodes.

Example Nineteen may include a decorative lawn ornament comprising asupport member including an upper support member, a lower support memberinsertable in into the lawn, and a secondary lower support memberconnected to the lower support member and which is insertable into thelawn; a support sleeve connected to the support member for rotationabout an axis defined by the support member; a first decorative memberrotatably supported about the support member, the first decorativemember including a first carrier having a plurality of first bladesextending therefrom, a first photoswitch, a first rechargeable batteryelectrically connected to the first photoswitch, a first circuit boardelectrically connected to the first rechargeable battery, at least onefirst solar panel arranged on the first carrier and electricallyconnected to the first circuit board, the at least one first solar panelconfigured to receive and collect sunlight, and a plurality of firstlight-emitting devices arranged on at least one of the plurality offirst blades to emit light from at least one of the plurality of firstblades; a second decorative member rotatably supported about the supportmember, the second decorative member including a second carrier having aplurality of second blades extending therefrom, a second photoswitch, asecond rechargeable battery electrically connected to the secondphotoswitch, a second circuit board electrically connected to the secondrechargeable battery, at least one second solar panel arranged on thesecond carrier and electrically connected to the second circuit board,the at least one second solar panel configured to receive and collectsunlight, and a plurality of second light-emitting devices arranged onat least one of the plurality of second blades to emit light from atleast one of the plurality of second blades; and a connecting memberextending perpendicularly from the support sleeve and which has a firstend thereof which supports the first decorative member via the firstcarrier for rotation about an axis defined by the connecting member, anda second end thereof which supports the second decorative member via thesecond carrier for rotation about an axis defined by the connectingmember, wherein the first and second photoswitches are automaticallyoperable between an activated state during instances of insufficientsunlight to thereby activate the first and second light-emittingdevices, respectively, and a deactivated state during instances ofsunlight to thereby deactivate the first and second light-emittingdevices, respectively, and wherein the plurality of first and secondblades extend from the first and second carriers respectively, so as torotate the first and second carrier about the connecting member when aflow of air strikes a surface of the blades, and also permit rotation ofthe first and second decorative members about the support member tothereby control an orientation of the first and second blades and thelight emitted by the first and second light-emitting devices.

Example Twenty may include the decorative lawn ornament of ExampleNineteen, wherein joint rotation of the first and second decorativemembers about the vertical axis results from a flow of air directlystriking at least one of the first blades and second blades.

The term “coupled” or “connected” may be used herein to refer to anytype of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components inquestion, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical,electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition,the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein only to facilitatediscussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronologicalsignificance unless otherwise indicated.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing descriptionthat the broad techniques of the embodiments can be implemented in avariety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments have been describedin connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of theembodiments should not be so limited since other modifications willbecome apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of thedrawings, specification, and following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1 support member (upper)    -   2 decorative member    -   3 carrier tray    -   4 bearing    -   5 secondary support member    -   6 solar panel    -   7 light-emitting device    -   8 solar charging/discharging control circuit board    -   9 directional plate    -   10 lawn ornament    -   11 support member (lower)    -   12 support sleeve    -   13 battery    -   21 decorative blades    -   22 hole    -   23 wiring    -   24 protrusion    -   31 annular concave cavity    -   32 connecting rod    -   61 photoswitch    -   62 wiring covers

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative lawn ornament, comprising: a supportmember including an upper support member, a lower support memberinsertable in into the lawn, and a secondary lower support memberconnected to the lower support member and which is insertable into thelawn; a support sleeve connected to the support member for rotationabout an axis defined by the support member; a first decorative memberrotatably supported about the support member, the first decorativemember including a first carrier having a plurality of first bladesextending therefrom, a first photoswitch, a first rechargeable batteryelectrically connected to the first photoswitch, a first circuit boardelectrically connected to the first rechargeable battery, at least onefirst solar panel arranged on the first carrier and electricallyconnected to the first circuit board, the at least one first solar panelconfigured to receive and collect sunlight, and a plurality of firstlight-emitting devices arranged on at least one of the plurality offirst blades to emit light from at least one of the plurality of firstblades; a second decorative member rotatably supported about the supportmember, the second decorative member including a second carrier having aplurality of second blades extending therefrom, a second photoswitch, asecond rechargeable battery electrically connected to the secondphotoswitch, a second circuit board electrically connected to the secondrechargeable battery, at least one second solar panel arranged on thesecond carrier and electrically connected to the second circuit board,the at least one second solar panel configured to receive and collectsunlight, and a plurality of second light-emitting devices arranged onat least one of the plurality of second blades to emit light from atleast one of the plurality of second blades; and a connecting memberextending perpendicularly from the support sleeve and which has a firstend thereof which supports the first decorative member via the firstcarrier for rotation about an axis defined by the connecting member, anda second end thereof which supports the second decorative member via thesecond carrier for rotation about an axis defined by the connectingmember, wherein: the first and second photoswitches are automaticallyoperable between an activated state during instances of insufficientsunlight to thereby activate the first and second light-emittingdevices, respectively, and a deactivated state during instances ofsunlight to thereby deactivate the first and second light-emittingdevices, respectively, and the plurality of first and second bladesextend from the first and second carriers respectively, so as to rotatethe first and second carrier about the connecting member when a flow ofair strikes a surface of the blades, and also permit rotation of thefirst and second decorative members about the support member to therebycontrol an orientation of the first and second blades and the lightemitted by the first and second light-emitting devices.
 2. Thedecorative lawn ornament of claim 1, wherein joint rotation of the firstand second decorative members about the vertical axis results from aflow of air directly striking at least one of the first blades andsecond blades.
 3. A decorative lawn ornament, comprising: a supportmember which is insertable in into the lawn; a support sleeve connectedto the support member for rotation about an axis defined by the supportmember; and a pair of decorative members which are spaced apart androtatably supported about the support member, each decorative memberincluding a carrier having a plurality of blades extending therefrom, arechargeable battery, a first circuit board electrically connected tothe rechargeable battery, at least one solar panel electricallyconnected to the circuit board, and a plurality of light-emittingdevices arranged on at least one of the blades of each decorative memberto emit light therefrom, wherein the plurality of blades extend from thecarrier so as to rotate the carrier about the connecting member when aflow of air strikes a surface of the blades, and also permit rotation ofthe decorative members about the support member to thereby control anorientation of the blades and the light emitted by the light-emittingdevices.
 4. The decorative lawn ornament of claim 1, wherein the supportmember comprises: an upper support member; a lower support memberinsertable into the lawn; and a secondary lower support member connectedto the lower support member and which is insertable into the lawn. 5.The decorative lawn ornament of claim 1, further comprising a holeextending through a surface of at least one of the blades to receive acorresponding light-emitting device.
 6. The decorative lawn ornament ofclaim 5, further comprising a protrusion in the surface of the bladespanel, wherein a corresponding hole is arranged at the protrusion. 7.The decorative lawn ornament of claim 1, wherein the light-emittingdevices comprise light-emitting diodes.
 8. A decorative lawn ornament,comprising: a support member including an upper support member and alower support member insertable into the lawn; a pair of decorativemembers which are spaced apart and rotatably supported about the supportmember, each decorative member including a carrier having a plurality ofblades extending therefrom, a photoswitch, a rechargeable batteryelectrically connected to the photoswitch, a first circuit boardelectrically connected to the rechargeable battery, at least one solarpanel electrically connected to the circuit board, and a plurality oflight-emitting devices arranged on at least one of the blades of eachdecorative member to emit light therefrom, wherein the photoswitch isautomatically operable between an activated state during instances ofinsufficient sunlight to thereby activate the light-emitting devices,and a deactivated state during instances of sunlight to therebydeactivate the light-emitting devices.
 9. The decorative lawn ornamentof claim 8, further comprising at least one hole extending through asurface of at least one of the blades to receive a corresponding one ofthe light-emitting devices.
 10. The decorative lawn ornament of claim 9,further comprising at least one protrusion in the surface of the blades,and which corresponds to the at least one hole such that thecorresponding at least one hole is arranged at the at least oneprotrusion.
 11. The decorative lawn ornament of claim 8, furthercomprising wiring to establish an electrical circuit between the circuitboard, the rechargeable battery, the light-emitting device, the powerswitch and the solar panel.
 12. The decorative lawn ornament of claim11, further comprising wiring covers extending along the rear surface ofthe blades and which receive corresponding wiring.
 13. The decorativelawn ornament of claim 12, wherein the wiring covers are embedded in therear surface of the blades.
 14. The decorative lawn ornament of claim 8,wherein the light-emitting devices comprise light-emitting diodes.